Matlacha ‘Tiny Village’ opens

February 7, 2018

The Matlacha "Tiny Village" opened Saturday at the old Three Palms RV Park on Pine island Road. Partner Dennis Herron was present to greet visitors.

Article Photos

One of the tiny houses in the Matlacha “Tiny Village.”

ED?FRANKS

The renovated interior of the trailer.

ED?FRANKS

"We've had a couple of hundred people through here already today and we're not scheduled to get started for another hour," Herron said.

Drivers passing by will notice two colorful "tiny" homes and the refurbished pink trailer at the RV park. The trailer and the tiny houses have been renovated and redecorated as rental units.

"We decided that the old pink trailer has been a fixture on Pine Island Road for so long we decided to keep it," Herron said. "The feedback from Matlacha residents is they are happy we did."

About a year ago Herron and his business partner, Dean Calhoun, determined that there is a need for additional rental units on Matlacha and decided "tiny houses" would be a great addition.

"I think this Tiny Village is a great asset to Matlacha," local long-time resident Kathy Morris said. "This small area of Matlacha has been such a mess for so many years, this is the perfect addition to the island."

"We just got our website up and running last week and we've already sold out February," Herron said. "For roughly the same costs that visitors can stay in a motel, they can stay here in one of our tiny homes."

The two partners donated two 3-night stays to be raffled off by the Matlacha Hookers. All of the proceeds go to the Matlacha Hookers Scholarship Fund.

The open house and dock party featured music by the Rex Bongo Band. Food was provided by Olde Fish House Marina.

The tiny village is located at 4661 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. If you have any further questions or would like to visit the property, please contact Dean at 239-633-7447.